Comedian and writer Amber Ruffin will headline the PEN America Gala on May 15, just weeks after being disinvited from the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner, where she was originally scheduled as a featured speaker.
The free expression advocacy organization announced Monday that Ruffin, known for her sharp political wit and unfiltered commentary, will bring her signature satire to its annual fundraiser.
Her involvement follows controversy surrounding her abrupt removal from the WHCA dinner program—a move reportedly tied to her blunt critiques of former President Donald Trump and her refusal to offer so-called “both sides” commentary.
In a statement, Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, PEN America’s co-interim CEO, applauded Ruffin’s courage and creativity.
“Amber Ruffin’s brilliant social commentary, her satire and exceptional talent are more essential than ever,” Shariyf said. “She is truly emblematic of the talented creators who we need on stages and in writers’ rooms during a time of unprecedented censorship in this country.”
Ruffin, a writer for NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, addressed the controversy during a recent appearance on The Daily Beast podcast, saying she was dropped from the WHCA event after organizers insisted she deliver balanced jokes about both political parties.
“There’s no way that’s going to happen,” Ruffin said bluntly.
The gala will also honor Wesleyan University President Michael Roth, who is set to receive the PEN/Benenson Courage Award for his “unwavering commitment to defending academic freedom, protecting protest rights, and resisting attempts to silence dissent in higher education.”
Roth has spoken out against the Trump administration’s reported threats to cut federal funding to institutions like Columbia and Harvard over political disagreements.
Meanwhile, White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich has publicly dismissed Ruffin as a “second-rate comedian,” a jab that drew criticism from advocates of free speech.
Despite the WHCA snub, Ruffin’s new hosting role has been celebrated by free speech advocates and artists alike, highlighting the ongoing debate over political neutrality, satire, and censorship in public discourse.
